The Unmanned Aircraft (Market Surveillance Authority) Regulations 2025 – implications for UK health and safety law and regulatory compliance
What has changed
The Unmanned Aircraft (Market Surveillance Authority) Regulations 2025 designate the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as the market surveillance authority for the purposes of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 on unmanned aircraft systems and on third country operators of unmanned aircraft systems. This establishes the body responsible for monitoring compliance with UAS requirements and who organisations must engage with to demonstrate compliance within the UK health and safety framework.
Why it matters
For businesses using drones or supplying UAS, this change clarifies governance and enforcement, aligning UK oversight with the EU delegated rules. It affects compliance expectations, incident reporting and ongoing operator competence under UK health and safety law.
Who is affected
Manufacturers, suppliers, training providers, drone operators and organisations that deploy UAS for inspections, surveying and service delivery are affected. Public sector bodies with drone operations are within scope. Those who import UAS or offer third country operated drones into the UK market may also be covered by these provisions.
Key duties for organisations
Ensure operations comply with the delegated regulation; verify operators’ competence; assess and manage drone risks; maintain records and provide training; incorporate UAS requirements into supplier and contractor management and align with your health and safety management system. For practical guidance on systematic control of workplace risk and legal compliance, see ISO 45001 and health and safety risk assessments.
Enforcement and sanctions
The Civil Aviation Authority will oversee market surveillance of unmanned aircraft under the 2025 Regulations and the Delegated Regulation. Non compliance may trigger enforcement actions under the UK health and safety regime and related regulatory frameworks.
Steps to achieve compliance
Action points include:
- Review and update drone operation risk assessments to reflect the delegated regulation
- Appoint a competent person to oversee UAS compliance and ensure their availability
- Confirm all drone operators, contractors and suppliers meet regulatory requirements
- Update procurement and contract terms for drone use and service provision
- Integrate UAS governance into your health and safety management system
Support is available from Synergos for risk assessment and competent person input, as well as ongoing health and safety training and management system development.
What organisations should do next
Review current drone related policies and risk assessments, assign a responsible person for UAS governance and ensure supplier and contractor controls reflect the new market surveillance role of the CAA. Consider updating training and documentation and align with ISO 45001 where practical to demonstrate robust governance of drone risk. Seek competent advice where required via Competent Person support and integrate defined UAS controls into your ongoing health and safety improvement programme.
In summary, the 2025 Regulations strengthen regulatory compliance obligations under UK health and safety law by clarifying the role of the CAA in market surveillance of unmanned aircraft. Organisations should act now to align governance, risk assessment and training with the new oversight arrangements and consider specialist support to implement changes efficiently.
The Civil Aviation Authority is the market surveillance authority for unmanned aircraft under the 2025 Regulations, shaping how organisations use and supply drones under UK health and safety law.
